NIGERIA, UAE TO HOLD TALKS ON VISA DENIALS, STRENGTHEN BILATERAL TIES 09-03-25
By Sadiq Aminu The federal government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to hold discussions in the coming days to address challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining UAE visas, particularly for tourism.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State foreign Affairs
MAGNUS EZE indicates that the decision was reached when the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of State Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Abuja.
It says Odumegwu-Ojukwu acknowledged Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic relations and strategic partnership with the UAE, emphasizing the country’s commitment to strengthening ties.
She noted that Dubai remains a preferred destination for many Nigerians, with an estimated 12,000 Nigerians residing in the UAE, including professionals, students, and unskilled workers.
“In 2015 alone, nearly a million Nigerians visited the UAE, spending between $100 million and $150 million on visas and over $1 billion on shopping, tourism, and other economic activities,” the minister stated.
She expressed concern over the economic imbalance in the bilateral relationship and called for enhanced collaboration to protect Nigeria’s economic interests.
“There have been numerous concerns about the visa situation in the UAE. Even top government officials have raised issues. Is there a new visa policy? Nigerians need clarity on what to expect, especially given the significant investments our citizens have made in property, tourism, and business in the UAE,” she added.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also disclosed that Nigeria would host a new session of the Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission, following the last meeting held in the UAE in 2022. The session will focus on bilateral agreements in key sectors such as power, renewable energy, and trade.
She commended the UAE government for its recent donation of relief materials for flood victims in Nigeria, as well as vaccines for chickenpox patients.
In response, Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with Nigeria.
Addressing visa concerns, the envoy explained that his office had been actively processing visas for government officials and private individuals through an appointed agent.
“I have ensured that visas are issued since I assumed office in Abuja. From July 2024, we have granted over 700 tourism visas, with zero rejections under my tenure,” Alshamsi said.
He assured that discussions would be held to resolve visa-related challenges and optimize existing agreements to boost trade and investment.
“Sometimes, disagreements arise, but they are not personal.We remain committed partners. We have signed multiple agreements and are set to finalize another major one soon. Our goal is to strengthen ties ahead of our President’s visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of this year,” the ambassador stated.